Israel

Asia

Israel

Israel packs an unusual range into a small area: Jerusalem's Old City holds sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam within walking distance of each other, while Tel Aviv runs on Mediterranean beach culture and a late-night food scene built on hummus, shakshuka, and fresh market produce. The Dead Sea's mineral-rich water lets you float without effort, and the Negev desert's canyons offer stark hiking a few hours south. Layers of history sit visibly on top of each other almost everywhere you go.

Why go thereSacred sites Ancient ruins Culture & heritage Food Nightlife & music Beaches Deserts Wellness & spa Markets & bazaars Diving & snorkelling Art museums Architecture & cities

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Hummus

Chickpea purée served warm in a bowl with a well of oil, eaten as a whole meal.

Falafel

Chickpea fritters stuffed into pita with salad, tahini and as much amba as you like.

Sabich

Fried aubergine, hard egg and potato in pita, an Iraqi-Jewish Saturday breakfast gone street.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Hummus

Chickpea purée served warm in a bowl with a well of oil, eaten as a whole meal.

Falafel

Chickpea fritters stuffed into pita with salad, tahini and as much amba as you like.

Sabich

Fried aubergine, hard egg and potato in pita, an Iraqi-Jewish Saturday breakfast gone street.

Shakshuka

Eggs poached in spiced tomato and pepper, brought to the table in the pan.

Meorav Yerushalmi

Chicken hearts, liver and thigh griddled with onion and spices, served in pita.

Bourekas

Puff pastry filled with cheese, potato or spinach, sold with a hard-boiled egg.

Malawach

Yemenite laminated flatbread fried in a pan, eaten with grated tomato and zhug.

Jachnun

Rolled dough baked overnight until dark and sweet, a Yemenite Shabbat morning dish.

Chraime

Fish poached in a hot North African tomato and paprika sauce, eaten with bread.

Kubbeh

Semolina dumplings filled with meat, floated in a beetroot or lemon soup.

Israeli salad

Cucumber and tomato diced very fine with lemon and oil, eaten at breakfast.

Challah

Braided egg bread blessed and torn at the start of the Shabbat meal.

Gefilte fish

Poached fish quenelles served cold with carrot and horseradish at festival meals.

Latkes

Potato pancakes fried in oil for Hanukkah, eaten with apple sauce or sour cream.

Sufganiyot

Jam doughnuts fried by the tray for the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Halva

Sesame paste set with sugar into a crumbling block, cut from a slab at the market.

Labneh

Strained yoghurt rolled into balls in oil or spread flat and dusted with za'atar.

Za'atar

Hyssop, sesame and sumac mixed with oil and spread on flatbread before baking.

Amba

Pickled mango sauce with fenugreek, brought from Iraq and now poured on everything.

Arak

Aniseed spirit turned cloudy with water, poured through a long mezze lunch.

Entry & health

Set your passport

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Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is common and expected, similar to the USA and Canada, with restaurant tips typically in the 10-15% range added on top of the bill since service is usually not included. If paying by credit card, tell the waiter you want to add a tip before the payment goes through, as many venues cannot add gratuities after the fact.

Respect Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset): many businesses in Jerusalem close and Orthodox neighborhoods may be barricaded off, so avoid driving into or visiting them during this time.
Dress modestly (covered shoulders/knees) when visiting synagogues, mosques, churches, and especially when walking through ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, as locals can be offended by inappropriate attire, particularly for women.
Do not bring religious materials intended for proselytizing, since importing items for missionary purposes is restricted and such items risk confiscation.
During Ramadan, be considerate in Muslim areas by avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect for those fasting.
Coins are considered an unwelcome or 'cheap' form of tip, so use small bills instead when tipping in cash.
Ask before photographing people, especially in religious or ultra-Orthodox communities, as some individuals strongly object to being photographed.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Israel — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA